Method of superimposing data of character on video data

Abstract

In a method of superimposing data of a character (mark) on video data, the superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of the superimposed video data and for data-compressing the extracted video data, the blocks forming one frame, the each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of the superimposed video data, a position of the character superimposed on the video data with respect to a lump of the blocks, where the character is to be imposed, is determined such that the number of blocks over which the character spreads is minimized when a size and a shape of the character or the mark are unchanged. In the method, at least a portion of a body of the character at a middle portion of the block and an outline of the character near a boundary of the block are arranged, or a horizontal (vertical) size of the character in accordance with a natural number times the number of horizontally (vertically) arranged pixels out of the two-dimensionally arranged pixels within the block. Thus, noise occurring around the character at blocks where the character exists is made inconspicuous.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of superimposing data of a character or a mark on video data, said superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of said superimposed video data and for data-compressing said extracted video data, said blocks forming said one frame, said each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of said superimposed video data, comprising the step of: determining a position of said character or mark superimposed on said video data with respect to a lump of said blocks, where said character or mark is to be imposed, such that the number of blocks over which said character spreads is minimized when a size and a shape of said character or said mark are unchanged.   
     
     
       2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: arranging at least a portion of a body of said character or mark at a middle portion of said block and arranging an outline of said character near or tangent to a boundary of said block. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining a horizontal size of said character or mark in accordance with a natural number times the number of horizontally arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of: determining a vertical size of said character or mark in accordance with a natural number times the number of vertically arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block. 
     
     
       5. A method of superimposing data of a character or a mark on video data, said superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of said superimposed video data and for data-compressing said extracted video data, said blocks forming said one frame, said each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of said superimposed video data, comprising the step of: arranging at least a portion of a body of said character at a middle portion of said block and arranging an outline of said character near or tangent to a boundary of said block.   
     
     
       6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the step of: determining a position of said character or mark superimposed on said video data with respect to a lump of said blocks, where said character or mark is to be imposed, such that the number of blocks over which said character spreads is minimized when a size and a shape of said character are unchanged. 
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the step of: determining a horizontal size of said character or mark in accordance with a natural number times the number of horizontally arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block. 
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the step of: determining a vertical size of said character or mark in accordance with a natural number times the number of vertically arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block. 
     
     
       9. A method of superimposing data of a character or a mark on video data, said superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of said superimposed video data and for data-compressing said extracted video data, said blocks forming said one frame, said each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of said superimposed video data, comprising the step of: determining a horizontal size of said character or mark in accordance with a natural number times the number of horizontally arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block.   
     
     
       10. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of: arranging at least a portion of a body of said character or mark at a middle portion of said block and arranging an outline of said character near or tangent to a boundary of said block. 
     
     
       11. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of: determining a position of said character or mark superimposed on said video data with respect to a lump of said blocks, where said character or mark is to be imposed, such that the number of blocks over which said character spreads is minimized when a size and a shape of said character or said mark are unchanged. 
     
     
       12. A method of superimposing data of a character or a mark on video data, said superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of said superimposed video data and for data-compressing said extracted video data, said blocks forming said one frame, said each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of said superimposed video data, comprising the step of: determining a vertical size of said character or mark in accordance with a natural number times the number of vertically arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block.   
     
     
       13. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of: determining a position of said character or mark superimposed on said video data with respect to a lump of said blocks, where said character or mark is to be imposed, such that the number of blocks over which said character spreads is minimized when a size and a shape of said character or said mark are unchanged. 
     
     
       14. A method as claimed in claim 12, further comprising the step of: arranging at least a portion of a body of said character at a middle portion of said block and arranging an outline of said character near or tangent to a boundary of said block. 
     
     
       15. A method of superimposing data of a character or a mark on video data, said superimposed video data being subjected to a data compression processing for extracting video data within each of blocks from one frame of said superimposed video data and for data-compressing said extracted video data, said blocks forming said one frame, said each block including a predetermined number of two-dimensionally arranged pixels of said superimposed video data, comprising the step of: determining a position of said character or mark superimposed on said video data with respect to a lump of said blocks, where said character or mark is to be imposed, such that the number of blocks over which said character spread is minimized when a size and a shape of said character or said mark are unchanged;   arranging at least a portion of a body of said character or mark at a middle portion of said block and arranging an outline of said character near or tangent to a boundary of said block;   determining a horizontal size of said character or mark in accordance with a first natural number times the number of horizontally arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block;   determining a vertical size of said character or mark in accordance with a second natural number times the number of vertically arranged pixels out of said two-dimensionally arranged pixels within said block.